Shoes 4 Kids

Shoes4Kids is an organization that was started in 2006 to help provide shoes for underprivileged or under served children. Brad Thuringer is a PTA and founder of Shoes4Kids. Each year he coordinates a shoe drive in conjunction with the APTAs annual meeting. Here is more information if you would like to help:

In conjunction with APTA's Annual Meeting - PT 2013- Salt Lake City, UT., Shoes4Kids will be visiting The Neighborhood House, The Road Home, and the YWCA. I too am pleased to announce that the students and faculty of the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Utah have agreed to accept and transport the shoes to the sites. I am extremely grateful to Dr. R. Scott Ward, PT. PhD and his students for their help with this year’s efforts.

How can you help? Your help is needed by either purchasing a pair(s) of "NEW" youth athletic shoes (toddler sizes 3-4 to teenager adult sizes up to 13-14) or sending a monetary donation to help purchase shoes. You can also spread the word in your chapter, collect shoes at your spring meeting, notify the PTA programs in your state and encourage their participation, etc. We need 1500 shoes for Salt Lake City!

Mail financial donations to: “Shoes4Kids” Brad Thuringer, PTA Instructor, ACCE Physical Therapist Assistant Program Lake Area Technical Institute 1201 Arrow Ave PO Box 730 Watertown, South Dakota 57201

Mail Shoe donations mail to: Shoes4Kids c/o Dr. R. Scott Ward, PT, PhD Department of Physical Therapy University of Utah 520 Wakara Way Salt Lake City, UT 84108

Deadline for ALL donations shoes and monetary gifts is June 1st, 2013. No donation is too small.

On behalf of S4K, thank you! Thank you for believing that every child deserves a new pair of athletic shoes! For more information, please contact Brad Thuringer, PTA Founder, Shoes4Kids at 800-657-4344, ext. 325, or brad.thuringer@lakeareatech.edu .

See how S4K has made a difference. (photo links below)

"It was such a pleasure to meet you and the Shoe Crew!!! Not only did our children enjoy this wonderful experience, but staff was so impressed by the positive spirit and teamwork displayed by your volunteers! It takes special people to come together to serve those less fortunate and Dover feels quite blessed to have been chosen this year. Thanks again for assisting our children and allowing us to keep shoes to serve many more. May God bless you and continue to guide you in this wonderful journey! We hope to work together again in the future!!!" ` Evelyn Pearce-Fearon, LCSW, Migrant School Social Worker, Dover Elementary/ Plant City FL

PT 2012 ~ Dover Elementary School, Dover, FL http://www.slideshare.net/thuringb/dover-elementary-school-shoes4-kids-pt-2012-tampa-fl-13295661?from=share_email

PT 2012 ~ Salvation Army, Tampa, FL http://www.slideshare.net/thuringb/salvation-army-shoes4-kids-pt-2012-tampa-fl

“I've heard from many families that their kids LOVE the new shoes. One little girl told us that her shoes were extremely comfortable and the only pair that fit well. Another little boy told me last week that he had the "coolest shoes in his class." - Amy White, Program Director, St. Margaret of Cortona Transitional Residences, Arlington, VA

This is the biggest gift our shelter has ever received. All the children now have a new pair of shoes. I hope you know how meaningful your donations were to our children and their mothers. ~ Sheila Baker, Spring Road Family Program, Washington, DC

On behalf of our children and their families, I want to say thank you for your time and generous donations of shoes and socks. As I continue to fit children with shoes after your visit, I was overwhelmed with the smiles from the children. It was wonderful treat not only for the children, but their families were very appreciative. Thanks so much! ~ Chris Bramante, Director, Mondloch House, Alexandria, VA

 PT 2011 ~ National Harbor, MD http://www.slideshare.net/thuringb/2011-shoes4-kids

 PT 2010 ~ Boston, MA http://www.ccab.org/unlinked/Shoes4Kids/index.php